Where to go for brakes on a 1999 Ford Class C E350?

[John_S2]

Any suggestions for where to take a Class C in for brake work???

On our recent trip I noticed a squeal in the back when braking at times. I think my rig has drum brakes in the back. Not sure about the front. I have about 80,000 miles on the rig.

Most of the car places around here don't have bays big enough for my rig and probably not familiar with what to do for a truck like vehicle. My rig is 24' long.

So, I guess I cannot take advantage of the $69 or $99 specials!!!!

I figure there may be a Ford truck place somewhere but figure they may be a bit pricey. Since I cannot do the work myself I am very willing to pay for the work but I don't want to get hosed!!!

Appreciate any and all suggestions..

[John_S2]

DrewE, Thanks... I did have the shocks replaced around 60,000 miles and one of the plugs was replaced on a recent trip since it was fouled and I experienced some engine missing.

[DrewE]

The chassis manual for your rig should give the various service intervals. Trust them, not DrewE.

Transmission fluid I think is every 30K miles per Ford, and is a pretty simple drain and refill (including the torque converter).

Brake fluid should be every few years; if it's been over, say, five years since it was changed, definitely have it replaced. Brake fluid tends to absorb water from the atmosphere over time, which in various ways can lead to not stopping when you want to stop.

Chassis lube points, what few there are, may well be about due for service.

After 80K miles, the shocks if original probably could use replacement as well. That's not so much directly a milage-related thing as a when needed thing.

Spark plugs, if original, are almost certainly due for replacement. Make certain the new ones are properly torqued with a torque wrench; the spark plug threads on the head of this era Ford engine are somewhat marginal and overstressing them can lead to plugs being ejected and nontrivial repair bills.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Take your own personal finger...

Remove the lid to the master cylinder.

Stick your finger down till it reaches bottom

Extract finger

Is your fingertip BLACK?

If it is, the black is decomposing seals inside the master cylinder. Personally I have never ever seen a brake shop do this. If the black is "goo" go for a replacement master cylinder.

I use http://www.rockauto.com

For my parts. I stick with Kelsey Hayes, or Raybestos.

[John_S2]

Thanks for the feedback will have to look around the neighborhood to see if any of the shops are big enough to handle an RV. If I take it in to have the brakes inspected and replaced is there anything I should specify or have them do at the same time? At 80,000 miles am I due for anything with the axles or transmission or ??? Or any type of brake pads or other things that are important?

[j-d]

Yes, E350 is "One-Ton" but that said, a One-Ton F350 is likely to be more robust in the chassis than an E350. I think the brakes are different, at least they were four our 2002 E450. It turned out that in that year, all "Super Duty Vans" like E250/350/450, single and dual wheel, used the same front disk brake parts. But F-Series was different.
If you're having the work done by a shop, they'll figure it out. Hopefully when they order parts. If not, when "Dem Holes Don't Line Up."

[JaxDad]

Fleet Man wrote:
Your mechanical components are standard Ford 3/4 ton truck parts. Any competent repair shop or chain like Meineke (sp) that can accommodate the vehicle should be able to do what you want, even a Ford dealership.

1 ton not 3/4 ton, but you're right, it's all stock F / E series components.

[Oldme]

I took mine to an independent truck repair center.
After asking around I found out who the County uses as well as a number of
independent truckers. He had no hesitation in doing the brake job.

[Fleet_Man]

Your mechanical components are standard Ford 3/4 ton truck parts. Any competent repair shop or chain like Meineke (sp) that can accommodate the vehicle should be able to do what you want, even a Ford dealership.

[Dusty_R]

I went to a Ford truck place for an alinement on our '02 E-350, also to change the transmission fluid. They did a good job, and I thought the price was decent.

Dusty